The traditional head of Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Olatunji Aweda, has been confirmed de.ad while still held by his a.bductors.
He was a.bducted by armed k!dnappers who allegedly set a ransom demand of ₦21 million, alongside two motorcycles and a container of petrol, as part of conditions for his release.
Community representatives, alongside religious and local stakeholders, had been involved in efforts aimed at securing his freedom through negotiation before the recent development.
His de.ath was disclosed in a voice recording attributed to a member of the local committee working on the case.
In the message, the speaker said:
“Allah in His mercy said in the Holy Qur’an that we all human beings on earth belong to Him, and to Him we shall return, whether when we expect it or when we do not expect it. Our beloved father… has answered the call of his Creator”, he said.
Following the announcement, the committee appealed for calm and encouraged residents to accept the outcome as divinely ordained. It also indicated that Islamic burial preparations would proceed, even though the monarch’s remains had not yet been retrieved.
Information from community sources noted that ransom discussions had been ongoing when news of his de.ath surfaced. A recently released victim of similar captivity reportedly indicated that negotiations were still active shortly before the confirmation.